ARRESTS FOR DRUG SELLING DROP, THOSE FOR POSSESSION RISE

Arrests for selling drugs decreased by 15.5 percent in Wisconsin during the
first six months of 1997, but arrests for drug possession continued to
increase, a state report released Wednesday said.

The Wisconsin Office of Justice Assistance report showed arrests for
possession increased by 6.2 percent.

Overall drug arrests increased by 0.8 percent, from 10,698 during the first
six months of 1996 to 10,782 in the first six months of 1997.

Drug arrests increased by 6.9 percent between the first six months of 1995
and 1996.

"I think the numbers didn't change much overall, which is important in that
the numbers have gone up consistently for the past four or five years,"
said Tom Eversen, state crime analyst. "Maybe this represents a slowdown in
how fast drug arrests have been going up in recent years."